Written by Paul Vettise
Olly Tait couldn’t have wished for a better outcome to the fillies’ feature event at Randwick after completing a recent deal to add the proven Denman to the 2019 roster at his Twin Hills Stud.
He announced last week that the Group 1 winner and Group producer would relocate from Darley to Cootamundra to continue his stallion career and hot off the heels of that news, Denman’s daughter Laburnum came up trumps in the G3 Hong Kong Jockey Club JHB Carr S.
“We’re very excited and it’s a great opportunity for us and a great place for the horse as well,” Tait said. “I discussed it with the guys at Darley and they thought it would be good for the horse.”
Sharing in the JHB Carr S. glory was Darley’s racing operation Godolphin, as the well-related Laburnum is prepared by its head trainer James Cummings with rider Kathy O’Hara, who was deputising for an injured Glyn Schofield, donning the familiar blue silks.
"I love the toughness of the filly," trainer James Cummings said. "She has been able to sustain the preparation.
"I love the toughness of the filly." – James Cummings.
“We've got no fear of keeping her in training for longer. We have reaped the rewards for that. She is a Group 3 winner now."
O’Hara rode positively from a wide gate to have the filly in second spot and they shot clear 300 metres from home, which turned out to be the winning of the race with a number of her fancied opposition strung up behind her in traffic.
“It was unfortunate for Glyn, but lucky for me." – Kathy O’Hara.
She was unsure whether Laburnum had seen it through when they flashed passed the post with Into The Abyss (Foxwedge).
"Everyone was spread apart so it was hard to know if she'd won. I was just hoping," O’Hara said. "I think this is my first win for Godolphin. It was unfortunate for Glyn, but lucky for me."
The favourite Into The Abyss was hemmed in until late in the straight and once clear, she roared home only to under by the barest of margins.
So Taken (Street Boss {USA}) also found the line late for third, as did Ashrani (I Am Invincible) for fourth money.
Laburnum is a daughter of the Redoute’s Choice mare Runes, who was a minor race winner but boasts a rich and deep pedigree.
Well-related filly
She is a sister to the Group 3 winner Meares (Redoute’s Choice) and a half-sister to Chetwood (Exceed And Excel), also successful at Group 3 level.
The family also features the presences the top-flight multiple Group 1 winner Grand Armee (Hennessy {USA}) as well as elite level winners Drum (Marauding {NZ}), Anamato (Redoute’s Choice), Dealer Principal (Flying Spur) and the rising stallion star Dundeel (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}).
O’Hara had a day to remember as she later won the G3 Japan Racing Association Plate aboard Grey Lion (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). The OTI Racing galloper is trained at Warwick Farm by Matthew Smith after starting his career with Ballarat-based conditioner Matt Cumani.
Grey Lion winning the G3 Japan Racing Association Plate
